(04.21.07) For some reason, Russia and electronic music have always been a good mix.
Artists like Novel 23, Solar X and EU are but a few names that come to mind
in the world of Russian IDM. How has one of Russia’s latest exports, Sensiva
with his Giosun album faired up in comparison to his talented countrymen?
Giosun is the second instalment by Artem Galukhin aka Sensiva, following a
limited tape release some years back. Since his cassette beginnings, Sensiva
has put out music on compilations for labels like Lo Recordings and Ai
Records. Now Galukhin has returned with his first readily available release
on the Sensotech imprint, a fledgling label founded by Sensiva with Giosun
as its debut release.
Giosun starts out with the lulling, atmospheric tones of “Bez Dna.” The
track echoes with low samples as computer beats skate across. “Untitled 3”
comes in with distorted samples that lead into crisp beats. Glitched bits
snap back and forth before a light melody is draped over the track. “Fussed”
has a definite Boards of Canada feel, but with more of a digital electronic
edge. The track haunts the speakers, wisting through the air in a slow,
self-conscious manner. “F Deep” is in the same vein as “Fussed”, moving
until the busier “Light Rays Games” pushes in. Blip hop beats crunch and
flex while a shimmering melody turns.
The title track arrives just beyond the halfway point. The work
ghosts into existence with spectral electronics and delicate keys that weave
their way across the track. “Downstairs to the Free Port” grows from bass
drum beats and melting samples before the track is broken with crisp beats
and a wonderfully light melody. Samples float and drift as the beats and
melodies glide into a harmonious, rich and textured audio scape. Beats and
program rasps create “Muzima,” drones shift as Sensiva layers his creation
in a lush digital mist. The track is atmospheric, moving into the realm of
ambient and experimentation. “44100th Galaxy” is next up. The track featured
in the acclaimed Ai Records compilation Sampler 06: Quality Electronic
Music. Space race and moon mission samples usher the track in, whilst
Sensiva constructs a tapestry of crunch shuffles and decompression bits.
Melodies fall and rise, bleeping into the stratosphere before returning into
their orbit. The album finishes with the aural epic “Vasad.” A moody,
winding piece of electronic that takes the listener through an electronic
journey of light sounds that bulge into a full IDM sound.
Giosun is an excellent piece of atmospheric electronic music. On first
listening, one might think that this is an over heard genre. But, it soon
becomes apparent that Sensiva has created a rich, moody and complex album;
employing an array of sounds and techniques to produce an interesting and
emotive listen. Hopefully Sensiva’s “do it alone” attitude of establishing a
label to get his sound out there will help to springboard his sound to more
electronica fans.
Giosun is out now on Sensotech. [Purchase
